MLB.com's Carrie Muskat has been covering Major League Baseball since 1981 and is the author of "Banks to Sandberg to Grace: Five Decades of Love and Frustration with the Cubs." You can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. Here, she blogs about the Cubs.

12/31 Big Z rumors

The Cubs won’t comment on trade rumors, which includes the latest talk regarding Carlos Zambrano. According to a story out of New York, two American League officials claim the Cubs are dangling Big Z but also say the pitcher won’t waive his no-trade clause. GM Jim Hendry told the Chicago Tribune: “He’s got full no-trade rights, which he negotiated into his contract. I fully expect him to come back in 2010 and pitch like the old Big Z.” Zambrano’s agent Barry Praver also has said the pitcher will not waive his no-trade rights. Zambrano is coming off a disappointing season in which he won nine games. The Cubs have been encouraged by reports about his offseason workouts.

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